Quality Manager

Job Description:

We are seeking a Quality Manager to drive excellence in quality assurance at Leonardo in Southampton. In this key leadership role, you will ensure that all quality processes, procedures, and systems comply with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.
 

Your Impact

As Quality Manager you will join the team to lead, develop, and improve the quality people, processes, culture, safety and customer experience within

Leonardo projects and support continued business growth.

You will be a leader of a business area quality team, responsible for effective leadership, planning and communication of all Quality objectives within the projects and business area.

What you'll do as Quality Manager:

• Champion a Quality-Driven Culture: Lead the development and promotion of a strong quality culture within your line of business, aligning with the overall Quality Strategy to drive excellence.
• Strengthen Quality Processes: Establish and maintain robust quality-process links with both internal and external customers, ensuring full compliance with the Business Management System while embedding best practices across the organisation.
• Drive Continuous Improvement: Collaborate with key stakeholders to proactively identify and resolve quality challenges, implement improvement initiatives, and enhance overall operational efficiency.
• Implement Advanced Quality Techniques: Develop, promote, and support the application of advanced quality methodologies based on risk management, with a strong focus on problem prevention rather than reaction.
• Innovate and Evolve Quality Practices: Continuously evaluate and refine quality processes, incorporating customer value co-creation, digitalisation, emerging technologies, waste reduction, and sustainability into everyday operations.
• Lead and Develop the Quality Team: Organise, coach, and mentor a team of Quality Engineers, ensuring they are equipped to integrate quality principles throughout the project/product lifecycle and provide assurance expertise across various projects and programs.
• Oversee Assurance and Compliance Activities: Support and manage key quality assurance functions
• Monitor and Report Performance: Define and maintain a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Represent Quality at Senior Levels: Act as the key Quality representative in Sector, Programme, and Integrated Project Team (IPT) meetings, providing strategic input and ensuring quality considerations are prioritised.
• Support Risk Management and Opportunity Realization: Develop and implement programme-specific assessment plans that help Programme Managers mitigate risks and maximise opportunities.
• Manage Budget and Resource Allocation: Oversee the functional cost centre finances and forward planning to ensure the appropriate level of quality support is available for all projects.

What you’ll bring:

• Industry Expertise: Proven experience in a similar role within electronics, avionics, automotive, defence, space, or other advanced manufacturing industries.
• Advanced Quality Tools: Strong knowledge of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Control Plans, and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), with expertise in lifecycle management.
• Root Cause & Corrective Action Expertise: Proficient in 8D, DMAIC, and other problem-solving methodologies to drive continuous improvement and prevent recurring issues.
• Quality Standards & Compliance: In-depth understanding of AS9100 and ISO 9001 standards, with experience in applying them to maintain and enhance quality systems.
• Audit & Supply Chain Quality: Experience in conducting quality audits to AS9100, ISO 9001, and DAOS standards, with supply chain auditing experience considered a plus.
• Strategic & Solution-Oriented Thinking: Ability to take a proactive, problem-solving approach to quality challenges, driving long-term solutions and continuous improvement.
• Project & Organisational Skills: Strong organisational abilities with experience in developing, managing, and executing project plans to meet business and quality objectives.

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

Security Clearance

This role will require National Security Vetting to SC level. It is a requirement that the successful applicant will undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance. A range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) will apply, this will include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Be part of something bigger - apply now!

Primary Location:

GB - Southampton

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Onsite